Translations
Modern
Food may come from the earth, but from below it is transformed as by fire.
Traditional
As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.
Literal
The earth, from which bread comes forth, and underneath is turned as by fire—
Latin
Terra de qua oriebatur panis, in loco suo igni subversa est.
Original
Hebrew
English
Food may come from the earth, but from below it is transformed as by fire.
Notes
People who mined would melt rock by burning a fire in a mine for days or weeks to extract the solid matter (ore). Some used fire and then cold water to crack the rocks.
This section is an isolated speech. There is no speaker listed, so it might continue from earlier words. Some see it as a creative summary by the author of Job. It emphasizes the limits of human wisdom and sets the stage for the Lord's speeches.
Events
Glossary
Topics
Bread: Yielded by the Earth Precious Stones: Dug out of the Earth Select Readings: Nature's Testimony The Earth: Full of Minerals